OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 257, 29 October 1937, Page 6

OBITUARY

MK. JOHN ANDERSON The death occurred this week of Sergeant-Major John Anderson, a well-known Wanganui resident, at the age. of 7'2 years. The late Mr. Anderson came to Wanganui some 50 years ago from Marton, and was early associated with the Wanganui Garrison Band and later with the. Queen Alexandra’s Own Mounted Rifles Band. He successfully led the former band to victory in marching competitions on several occasions. The late Mr. Anderson was a brilliant rifle shot and won the North Island championships and numerous trophies and medals on the range. He also took a keen interest in draughts and for many years was recognised as the leading exponent of this game in the district. Taking a keen interest in tennis, he was responsible for placing the Wanganui East Lawn Tennis Club on its present good tooting. He took a very keen interest in the affairs of this club and the encouragement of young people to engage in this healthy and invigorating exercise. Possessed of an unassuming nature, he made numerous friends. At the outbreak of the Great War the four sons of the late Mr. Anderson enlisted, the eldest boy (Percy) giving his life for his country when engaged in France. Two of his sons were wounded severely and one son (Robert) died shortly after his return from the front.

The late Mr. Anderson was predeceased by his wife about 32 years ago. He is survived by three daughters— Mesdames A. E. Garner (Kaitoke), Hunt and Burston (Wanganui)— and three sons, Messrs. Roy and James Anderson, of Brunswick, and Kenneth Anderson, of Whangamomona. The funeral of the late Mr. Anderson took place yesterday morning and was attended by a large and representative gathering of citizens and members of the two bands with which he was associated. The pallbearers were members of the Wanganui Garrison and Queen Alexandra's Own Bands and the Wanganui East Lawn Tennis Club. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. R. Dudley.

An incident connected with the late Sergeant-Major Anderson's career as a bandsman and drum-major is worthy of record. It occurred at Palmerston North at one of the North Island band contests in the marching competition. The bands were all in position on the grounds where the contest was to take place, awaiting orders, when it was observed that there was some disturbance in the Waihi Band, members of which appeared to be about to leave the field. Sergeant-Major Anderson walked over to them and inquired the cause of the trouble. He was informed that the band had come from Waihi without the services of a drum-major, and had been refused help from another contesting band, which, by the way, confidently expected to win the maching contest, as it had but recently acquired new instruments and new uniforms, and, furthermore, had an insrtuctor fresh from military experience in the Old Land. The sergeant-major promptly offered to fill the vacancy, provided his band raised no objection, and the Waihi Band gratefully accepted the offer.

A hasty consultation was held with the Wanganui Garrison Band, members of which unanimously consented to the suggestionfl and for ten minutes or a quarter of an hour the strident voice of their drum-major could be heard as he put the members of the Waihi Band through their paces. The result of the contest was